Explore every episode of the podcast Home Front

On this day in 1918, the German Kaiser was forced to abdicate, and in Folkestone, the Wilsons face an uncertain future.

Cast Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Albert ..... Jamie Foreman Daniel ..... Jonathan Bailey Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook Jack ..... Ashley Kumar Norman ..... Sean Baker Peter ..... Bea White Victor ..... Joel MacCormack

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, On this day in 1918, the Church of England created a fund for Spiritual Reconstruction after the war, and in Folkestone, Johnnie is feeling dispirited.

Cast Johnnie ..... Paul Ready Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Albert ..... Jamie Foreman Alice ..... Claire Louise Cordwell Bill ..... Ben Crowe Charles ..... Rufus Wright Cressida ..... Bettrys Jones Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Isabel ..... Keely Beresford Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Peter ..... Bea White Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Valentine ..... Nick Underwood Operator ..... Emma Handy

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the military situation in Germany was becoming desperate, while in Folkestone, Ralph Winwood deals with despair on the Home Front.

Cast Ralph ..... Nicholas Murchie Adam ..... Billy Kennedy Alec ..... Tom Stuart Charles ..... Rufus Wright Dorothea ..... Rachel Shelley Isabel ..... Keely Beresford Olive ..... Rhiannon Neads

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the revolutionary movement that began in Kiel spread to the whole of Germany, while in Folkestone, Gabriel takes part in a small insurrection.

Cast Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Cressida ..... Bettrys Jones Eric ..... Paul Rainbow Esme ..... Katie Angelou Forrester ..... Nigel Hastings Hilary ..... Craige Els Johnnie ..... Paul Ready Nell ..... Alice St Clair Norman ..... Sean Baker Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Sylvia ..... Joanna David

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, terms for the Armistice were agreed upon by the Allies at Versailles, and in Folkestone, it appears that Bill’s ceasefire has been a fragile affair.

Cast Alice ..... Claire Louise Cordwell Bill ..... Ben Crowe Esme ..... Katie Angelou Norman ..... Sean Baker Walter ..... Joseph Kloska Ryan ..... Ryan Whittle Roy ..... Nathan Nolan

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, German troops withdrew from Serbia, and in Folkestone, Marion desperately doesn’t want Edie to leave her.

Cast Marion ..... Laura Elphinstone Dilys ..... Ellie Piercy Edie ..... Kathryn Beaumont Mrs Edkins ..... Rachel Davies Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Ray ..... Isabel Barry Stella ..... Olivia Wales

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, details of a scheme for an Empire War Memorial were published, and in Folkestone, Adeline has a day to remember.

Cast Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne Nell ..... Alice St Clair Silas ..... Shaun Dooley Walter ..... Joseph Kloska

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, Turkey surrendered unconditionally, and hostilities ceased at noon, while in Folkestone, Elizabeth still has some fight in her.

Cast Dorothea ..... Rachel Shelley Elizabeth ..... Kika Markham Howard ..... Gunnar Cauthery Ralph ..... Nicholas Murchie Viraj ..... Liam Lau Fernadez Mrs Hindell ..... Susie Riddell Guard ..... Lewis Bray

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, Lord Beaverbrook resigned as Minister for Information, and in Folkestone, Juliet is still chewing over the events of last week.

Cast Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Connie ..... Darcey Brown Dicky ..... Roy Hudd Grace ..... Grace Doherty Isabel ..... Keely Beresford Sylvia ..... Joanna David Walter ..... Joseph Kloska

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, Austria Hungary declared itself ready to negotiate peace, and in Folkestone, Jessie is looking for a new deal.

Cast Jessie ..... Lucy Hutchinson Adam ..... Billy Kennedy Isabel ..... Keely Beresford Jack ..... Ashley Kumar Marion ..... Laura Elphinstone Ray ..... Isabel Barry Stella ..... Olivia Wales Horatio ..... Lewis Bray

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the President of the Board of Agriculture intimated that his successor might be a woman, while in Folkestone, Juliet has her eye on a different succession.

Cast Howard ..... Gunnar Cauthery Connie ..... Darcey Brown Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Grace ..... Grace Doherty Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne Mathieu ..... Bea White Ralph ..... Nicholas Murchie Sylvia ..... Joanna David Chastagner ..... Stephane Cornicard

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the Battle of the Selle ended in victory for the Allied forces, and in Folkestone, Norman Harris joins a strange alliance.

Cast Norman ..... Sean Baker Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Eric ..... Paul Rainbow Forrester ..... Nigel Hastings Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Hilary ..... Craige Els Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Maisie ..... Cassie Layton

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the House of Commons voted in favour of female MPs, and in Folkestone, Sylvia wishes there were no news.

Cast Sylvia ..... Joanna David Connie ..... Darcey Brown Mrs Edkins ..... Rachel Davies Esme ..... Katie Angelou Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Grace ..... Grace Doherty Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne Laurie ..... Will Howard Mathieu ..... Bea White

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, Parliament was set to have its electric lighting replaced with candles, and in Folkestone, Keepers Lodge faces a fine for infringing the lighting restrictions.

Cast Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Forrester ..... Nigel Hastings Howard ..... Gunnar Cauthery Nell ..... Alice St Clair Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Silas ..... Shaun Dooley EJ Thomas ..... Sean Murray Edward Morris ..... John Lightbody Private Hims ..... Ryan Whittle

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the Dundalk, an Irish steamer was torpedoed without warning, while in Folkestone, the Wilsons are marking an anniversary.

Cast Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook Adam ..... Billy Kennedy Jack ..... Ashley Kumar Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Norman ..... Sean Baker Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the Belgian Army retook the last of their occupied coastal towns, while in Folkestone Marieke has taken to her bed.

Cast Howard ….. Gunnar Cauthery Marieke ….. Olivia Ross Olive ….. Rhiannon Neads Fran ….. Katie Angelou Dorothea ….. Rachel Shelley Ralph ….. Nicholas Murchie Mr Daniels ….. Sean Baker

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, a recommendation that Church services should be held in daylight to save coal was dismissed, while in Folkestone Hilary is glowing with pride.

Cast Hilary ….. Craige Els Gabriel ….. Michael Bertenshaw Laurie ….. Will Howard Duke ….. Christopher Harper Forrester ….. Nigel Hastings Mrs Edkins ….. Rachel Davies Adam Wilson ….. Billy Kennedy Lilian Pemble ….. Alex Tregear

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, a retreating German army surrendered Flanders to the Allies, and in Folkestone Victor has lost something important.

Cast Kitty ….. Ami Metcalf Victor ….. Joel MacCormack Mrs Edkins ….. Rachel Davies Florrie ….. Claire Rushbrook Edie ….. Kathryn Beaumont Snook ….. Dominic Mafham

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, Norah Elam told a rally in Folkestone that if the authorities would not intern all Germans in the town, then the public must do so themselves, while at the Grand, Johnnie is taking no prisoners in his search for the enemy.

Cast Johnnie ….. Paul Ready Adeline ….. Helen Schlesinger Vernon ….. Ryan Whittle Valentine ….. Nick Underwood Snook ….. Dominic Mafham Edie ….. Kathryn Beaumont

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, German bombardment of Dunkirk was mistaken for an air raid along England’s South Coast, and at the Military barracks in Shorncliffe, Silas Morrow has his sleep disturbed.

Cast Silas ….. Shaun Dooley Vernon ….. Ryan Whittle Private Gale ….. John Lightbody Howard ….. Gunnar Cauthery Marieke ….. Oliva Ross Caines ….. Nicholas Murchie Leonore ….. Jonah Collingwood Harrold

Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, On this day in 1918, Folkestone stepped up its Feed the Guns campaign, while Victor Lumley has a headache.

Cast Victor ..... Joel MacCormack Daniel ..... Jonathan Bailey Isabel ..... Keely Beresford Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Peter ..... Bea White Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom

Written by Shaun McKenna Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, CW Daniel, the publisher of Despised and Rejected, was fined £460, while in Folkestone, Alice has a red letter day.

Cast Alice ..... Claire Louise Cordwell Bill ..... Ben Crowe Esme ..... Katie Angelou Walter ..... Joseph Kloska Susan ..... Jane Slavin

Written by Shaun McKenna Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the Hindenburg Line was effectively smashed, while in Folkestone, Nell Kingsley’s defences are lowered.

Cast Nell ..... Alice St Clair Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Annie ..... Kathleen Cranham Forrester ..... Nigel Hastings Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Patrick ..... Jonny Holden

Written by Shaun McKenna Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, a cavalryman called Fowler was discovered after being presumed dead since August 1914, and in Folkestone, Florrie has an unlikely visitor.

Cast Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook Daniel ..... Jonathan Bailey Eric ..... Paul Rainbow Johnnie ..... Paul Ready Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Norman ..... Sean Baker Peter ..... Bea White Arthur ..... Ryan Whittle Ted ..... Jonny Holden Wolfgang ..... Atilla Akinci Isaac ..... Scout Ready

Written by Shaun McKenna Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, an increase in bread consumption was blamed on tastier bread, while in Folkestone, the Grahams are having lunch.

Cast Isabel ….. Keely Beresford Charles ..... Rufus Wright Connie ..... Darcey Brown Esme ..... Katie Angelou Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Grace ..... Grace Doherty Juliet ..... Lizzie Bourne Sylvia ..... Joanna David

Written by Shaun McKenna Directed by Jessica Dromgoole Sound: Martha Littlehailes

On this day in 1918, the Daily Herald called for more houses to be built before the end of the war, and for the upper classes to share their spare rooms with workers. And in Folkestone, Kitty and Victor’s homestead is overrun

Cast Kitty ..... Ami Metcalf Eleanor ….. Aimee-Ffion Edwards Peter ..... Bea White Victor ..... Joel MacCormack Daniel ..... Jonathan Bailey Mrs Edkins ..... Rachel Davies Marion ..... Laura Elphinstone Florrie ..... Claire Rushbrook

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, the carrier pigeon Cher Ami delivered a message which saved nearly 200 American soldiers, despite losing an eye and leg in the process, and in Folkestone Bill hopes to salvage the curate’s shoes.

Cast Bill ..... Ben Crowe Alec ..... Tom Stuart Sophie ….. Abbie Andrews Smith ….. Craige Els Alice ..... Claire Louise Cordwell Ralph ..... Nicholas Murchie Harry ….. Sean Murray Dicky ..... Roy Hudd Walter ..... Joseph Kloska

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, Prince Max von Baden was appointed German Chancellor and tasked with bringing hostilities to an end, while at Folkestone Library, Edie is trying to quell the unstoppable Mrs Edkins.

Cast Edie ..... Kathryn Beaumont Mrs Edkins ..... Rachel Davies Mr Snook ….. Dominic Mafham Dilys ..... Ellie Piercy Marion ..... Laura Elphinstone

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, the German High Command told a shocked Reichstag to “abandon the war as a hopeless cause”, and at the Town Hall in Folkestone, Hilary has a surprising offer of lunch.

Cast Hilary ..... Craige Els Forrester ..... Nigel Hastings Gabriel ..... Michael Bertenshaw Waiter ….. Sean Murray Norman ….. Sean Baker

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, British and Arab troops, joined by T.E. Lawrence, occupied Damascus, while at Keeper’s Lodge, Adeline has a moment of sudden realisation.

Cast Adeline ..... Helen Schlesinger Eleanor ….. Aimee-Ffion Edwards Annie ..... Kathleen Cranham Sophie ….. Abbie Andrews Nell ..... Alice St Clair Phyllis ..... Christine Absalom Silas ..... Shaun Dooley

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Sound: Martha Littlehailes Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

On this day in 1918, defeat at Vardar left Bulgaria seeking peace with the Allies, whilst at St Jude's Church, Kitty and Victor attend a christening which is anything but harmonious.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, it was revealed that Despised and Rejected, an apparently "pernicious book" at the centre of a censorship trial, had been written by a woman, Rose Allatini, using an androgynous pseudonym. Meanwhile at the Wilson household, Jack has something controversial to tell Florrie and Adam.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, the Allies launched a concluding offensive on Meuse-Argonne, the US Army's largest and deadliest ever battle. Somewhere in the North Downs, meanwhile, Phyllis and Johnnie are still quite far from Folkestone.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, railway workers around Britain ended their strike after the Government brought in military assistance, and returning to Folkestone, Isabel is in a defiant mood.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, Allied forces launched a new attack on the Hindenburg line, and in Folkestone Adam is steaming towards the harbour.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole

Notes Home Front returns to a bruised, but optimistic Folkestone for its fifteenth and final season. Amongst hushed rumours of peace, our characters dream about a brighter, democratic future, whilst struggling to maintain morale after four years of a seemingly endless war which has seeped into every aspect of civilian life and drawn in everyone.

Subtitled "Onward", Season 15 of Home Front is story-led by Katie Hims, with Sarah Daniels, Shaun McKenna and Sebastian Baczkiewicz completing the writing team. Onward is the troopship which goes up in flames on the first day, momentarily stopping soldiers from departing from Folkestone to the Western Front. It is also the Allies' movement towards a retreating German front; it is the tentative hopes of progress in a post-war Britain; it is the drive for a wounded community to find some kind of peace, however fragile.

A preview of the fifteenth and final season of Home Front with extra insights from its lead writer, Katie Hims.

On this day in 1918, a conscientious objector, when sentenced, threw his boot at the magistrate, while in Ashburton, a war hero returns home.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, the Ministry of Food announced plans to grade potatoes and fix their prices accordingly, while in Ashburton, Charles wonders whether he's good enough.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, the Allied forces attacked the German army at Amiens, in the third battle of Picardy, and in Devon, Adeline launches a gentle offensive.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, farmers were encouraged to apply for soldiers to help with the harvest, as thousands were given agricultural furlough, and on Halecot Farm, Effie resolves their labour problems.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, the Workers Union protested the withdrawal of key men from farms for Army service, while in Seale Hayne, Daniel prepares to join the harvest.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, Australian hospital ship Warilda sank in the English Channel, while at Seale Hayne in Devon, at least one patient is on the road to recovery.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, British intervention in the Russian civil war led to the occupation of Archangel, while at Halecot Farm, Effie faces the grim prospect of reaping alone.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, On this day in 1918, the Franco-Swiss border was closed to contain the spread of Spanish Flu. But in Devon, the doors of Engleby Hall are thrown wide open to mark the first day of harvest.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, a farmer from Ashburton was prosecuted for illegally removing sheep from Dartmoor, and at a nearby shepherd's hut, Cathy is found in the wilderness.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, German prisoners were banned from farming alongside the Women's Land Army, and in Devon, Ivan is working closely with Primrose.

Written by Sarah Daniels Directed by Ciaran Bermingham Editor: Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, it was reported that a quarter of a million Americans had embarked for France, while in Staverley Court, all thoughts are on just one boy.

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, the German army was forced to retreat towards Épernay, while in Staverley Court, there's cause for celebration.

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, a German barber, Emil Theuergarten was imprisoned for posing as a Belgian, while in Devon, there's a quiet gathering at Halecot Farm.

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.

On this day in 1918, The Times reported a decline in pauperism of nearly 10% over the year, while on Dartmoor, Cathy Lawrence has nothing left.

Written by Katie Hims Directed by Jessica Dromgoole.